Where do you start when you want to guitar chords learn to play guitar? The 8 chords every beginner guitar player should learn first are: C – A – G – E – D – Am – Em – Dm. With these chords alone you can play an endless amount of songs.

10 Guitar strumming patterns for beginners - Uncle Richard said it's dangerous for beginners to try to strum in both directions, but I find the songs I am learning to play sound much more true to tune when I incorporate both.